inferno

noun

in·​fer·​no in-ˈfər-(ˌ)nō 

plural infernos

: a place or a state that resembles or suggests hell

the inferno of war

also : an intense fire : conflagration

a raging inferno

Synonyms

• conflagration
• fire
• holocaust

Examples of inferno in a Sentence

By the time help arrived, the fire had grown to a raging inferno.

the intense heat of the raging inferno repeatedly drove back the firefighters

Recent Examples on the Web

The ensuing inferno was hot enough that any evidence of the lab’s purpose seemed to have burned away. —Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 22 May 2025

But after being asked in several emails by an editorial writer if the L.A. inferno showed the need for a triage approach, a spokesperson for Mayor Todd Gloria defended his handling of the fire threat. —U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025

The two-alarm blaze broke out on Chevy Chase St. near Henley Road in Jamaica Estates about 1:30 a.m., officials said, with the inferno soon bursting through the windows and roof. —John Annese, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025

The inferno devoured home after home, unleashing what experts estimate to be tons of dangerous metals and compounds, from lead to asbestos to the carcinogen benzene. —Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian, hell, from Late Latin infernus

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

inferno

noun

in·​fer·​no in-ˈfər-nō 

plural infernos

: a place or state that resembles or suggests hell especially in great heat or raging fire

Etymology

from Italian inferno "underworld, hell," from Latin infernus (same meaning), from earlier infernus (adjective) "lying beneath, in the lower regions"